Tubing rotary swivel assembly



Aug. 13, 1963 w. E. SANDERS TUBING ROTARY SWIVEL ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 12, 1961 W//f/Q f. Jana en;

INVENTOR.

BY a 6% f. (28/ I ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,100,538 TUBING ROTARY SWIVEL ASSEMBLY Wilfred E. Sanders, Houston, Tex., assignor to Houston 011 F eld Material Company, Inc., Houston, Tex., a corporatlon of Delaware Filed Dec. 12', 1961, Ser. No. 158,677 3 Claims. (Cl. 166-237) The present invention relates to a rotary swivel assembly for use in a well tubing in a well bore, and more particularly relates to such a rotary swivel assembly which allows the upper portion of the tubing to be rotated even though the lower end of the tubing is anchored and also allows the tubing to be disconnected from the well bore.

Generally, a well tubing is anchored in a well bore at the bottom and provides a fluid path for flow of well fluid through the tubing. However, it is desirable, particularly in pumping operations, to suitably rotate the tubing in order to evenly spread the wear between the tubing and sucker rods passing through the tubing so as to prevent concentrated wear in the tubing thereby lowering maintenance costs. However, it is desirable that the lower end of the tubing be anchored so to keep the tubing in tension and straight so as to keep it from buckling when pumping.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a rotary swivel assembly for insertion in a well tubing which is to be rotated in the well bore and still provide a fluid tight connection.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a tubing rotary swivel which allows the tubing to be rotated in the well bore even though anchored at the bottom and which provides a fluid tight assembly which does not restrict the flow of fluid through the tubing.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a tubing rotary swivel assembly for insertion in a well tubing which is anchored at the bottom and which allows the tubing to be rotated and in which a clutch means is provided to be engaged so as to disconnect the tubing from the well bore when desired.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is the provision of a tubing rotary swivel assembly having a clutch mechanism which when disengaged allows the tubing to be rotated even when anchored at the bottom and when engaged allows the tubing to be released from the well bore and which is provided with spring means which yiel-dably urges the clutch mechanism into engagement, the spring means being of suflicient strength to actuate the clutch mechanism even though the anchored portion of the tubing becomes longitudinally disconnected.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a tubing rotary swivel assembly having first and second subs adapted for insertion in the well tubing, a rotary clutchmechanism connected between the subs and transmitting rotational movement between the subs when the clutch is engaged, and wherein a tubular mandrel is positioned interiorly of the first and second subs 12 and thereby providing an unrestricted flow through the assembly and wherein the mandrel is suitably sealed between the subs to provide a fluid tight assembly.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invent-ion, given for the purpose of disclosure, and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, where like character references designate like parts throughout the several views, and where:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational fragmentary view, partly in section, illustrating the present invention in position wherein the clutch mechanism is engaged, and

, 3,100,538 Patented Aug. 13, 1963 FIGURE 2 is an elevational fragmentary view, in cross section of the apparatus of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral 10 generally designates the rotary swivel assembly of the present invention. The apparatus 10 generally includes a first sub member 12, a second sub member 14, and a rotary clutch mechanism 16 connected between adjacent ends of the sub members 12 and 14. A mandrel *18 is positioned interiorly of the first and second subs 12 and 14 so as to prevent leakage through clutch mechanism 16.

The first sub member 12 may include any suitable connection such as a tubing pin 20 which may be connected into a suitable joint of tubing 22. The second sub 14 may include a suitable tubing box connection 24 for connection to another tubing joint 26. Thus, the assembly 10 may be conventionally inserted into a well tubing by the conventional threads 28 and 30. The well tubing normally is anchored at the bottom and a suitable seal such as a conventional packer (not shown) may be provided. The upper end of the tubing (not shown) extends to the surface of a well bore as is conventional in order to provide a fluid path for the flow of fluid up the well bore to the surface. In addition, a suitable series of rods called sucker rods are inserted through the interior of the tubing and may pass through assembly 10 so as to actuate a pump (not shown) in the well bore. However, in order to spread the wear between the sucker rods and the well tubing the tubing is rotated in the well bore by conventional means. But even when the well tubing is rotated, it is desirable to provide an anchor at the lower end of the tubing.

The present rotary swivel assembly 10 is thus provided and is connected in the tubing and provides a structure which allows the upper portion of the tubing to be rotated while the bottom of the tubing-is rigidly held against rotation. The clutch mechanism 16 is adapted to be disengaged, such as by movement of the upper sub 14 away rfom the first sub member 12. Thus, while the well tubing is in tension the clutch mechanism, which may be of any suitable type, here shown as cam faces 32 and 34 having axially aligned shoulder faces 36 and 38 respectively, which are engaged and disengaged on movement .of the subs 12 and 14 toward and away from each other. When the clutch mechanism 16 is engaged rotational movement may be transmitted between the first and second subs.

In order to prevent the leakage of fluid through the assembly 10 a suitable tubular mandrel 18 is provided which is positioned in the adjacent ends of the subs 12 and 1-4. Preferably, sub 12 has an annular recess 40 and sub l d has an annular recess 42 in which the mandrel 18 is positioned. Thus, the mandrel 18 can be positioned in the recesses 40 and 42 and its interior passage 44 may be sized to provide an unrestricted flow through the assembly 10. One end of the mandrel 18 may be suitably connected -to the sub 12 by any suitable means such as threads 46. If desired, an O-r-ing seal 48 may be provided between the mandrel 18 and the sub 12 to insure that liquid tight joint will be provided. The other end 50 of the mandrel 18, which is positioned in the second sub 14, is longitudinally and rotatably slidable with respect to the sub 14. Sui-table packing such as O-rings 52 are provided in ends 50 to seal off the mandrel against the sub 14. Thus, as the well tubing and consequently the upper sub 14 are placed in tension disconnecting the clutch 16 and are rotated, the upper end 50 of the mandrel 18 may move longitudinally and rotatably in the sub 14 and still provide a fluid tight joint.

Suitable coact-ing stop shoulders are provided on the mandrel 18 and the upper sub :14. Thus shoulders 54 on the mandrel and 56 on the upper sub 44 coact to prevent a are spaced so that the end 50 of the mandrel 18 :cannot pass out of the recess 42 and thus become disconnected from sub 14. If desired, a suitable thrust bearing 60' may be provided between the shoulders 54 and 56.

In addition, a spring 62 may be provided which may engage a shoulder on the mandrel 18 such as against the shoulder 54 through the thrust bearing 60 and in addition engages a spring shoulder '64 on the upper sub 14. Thus, this compression spring 62 acts to push the mandrel 18 upwardly in the sub 14 thus pulling the lower sub 12 upwardly so as to yieldably urge the clutch mechanism into engagement. This spring 62 is of sufficient strength to more than overcome the weight of the mandrel 18, first sub 12, and any connecting equipment in order that the clutch may be actuated to suitably rotate and release the well tubing from a conventional anchor or packer even in the event that there is no longitudinal anchoring means on the bottom of the well tubing.

When it is desired to release the well tubing from the bottom of the well from a conventional anchor or well packer, the tension in the well tubing is released thereby allowing the upper sub 14 to move toward the lower sub 12 thereby engaging the clutch mechanism 16. Thus, by rotating the tubing, as here shown in a clockwise direction, the axially aligned shoulder cam faces 36 and 38 will engage so that rotational movement is transmitted (from the upper sub 14 to the lower sub 12. Thus a rotation of the lower sub 12 will disconnect a left handed thread below this point so as to disconnect the tubing as desired.

In operation, the assembly is suitably assembled and connected in a conventional well tubing by the threaded connections 30 and 28-. And as previously stated, the bottom of the well tubing is conventionally anchored so as to keep the tubing in tension and straight and prevent it from buckling while pumping. Thus with the bottom of the tube rotatably secured, tension may be taken in the well tubing which moves the upper sub 14 away irorn the lower sub 12 and disconnects the clutch mechanism 16 and the oo-acting cam faces 36 and 38. Thus, when the clutch is disconnected (not shown) the upper sub 14 may be freely rotated with the well tubing as the well tubing is rotated to prevent wear from being concentrated in the tubing. When the tension is taken in the well tubing and thus in the assembly 10 the upper sub14 can move only upwardly until its shoulder 56 coacts with the shoulder 54 of the mandrel :18 .or the positioned in the recesses 40 and 42 of the sub members "12 and 14, respectively, there is no restriction in the interior of the assembly 10 which would limit the fluid how or any working equipment from passing through the assembly .10.

However, when it is desired to remove the well tubing (from a fixed member at the bottom the tension in the well tubing may be released thereby moving the-sub members 14 and 12 together and thus engaging the clutch mechanism 16' by mating the coacting cam shoulders 36 and 38. By rotating the well tubing and thus the upper sub member 14, as here, shown in a clockwise direction,

4 the axially aligned cam surface 36 engages the axially aligned cam surface 38 on the sub member 12 so as to transmit rotational movement to the sub member 12 and thus .to suitably disconnect a left handed thread from a fixed member such as an anchor or well packer.

And if for some reason the anchor or means holding the bottom of the well tubing fails in a longitudinal direction so that the lower sub 12 and mandrel I18 hang loose from the upper sub 14, the spring 62 .is of sufficient strength to force the clutch mechanism 16 into engagement for releasing the well tubing in a rotational direction.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as Well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made which will readily suggest themselvesto those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a well tubing in a well bore in which the upper end of the tubing is adapted to be rotated and the lower end of the tubing is adapted to be threadably secured in the well bore, the improvement in a rotary swivel joint comprising,

first and second pipe joints axially aligned, the first of which is secured to the lower end of the tubing and the second of which is secured to the upper end of the tubing,

clutch means connected to adjacent ends of said pipe joints and adapted to transmit rotational movement between said joints in a direction to release the lower end of the well tubing,

said joints having an annular recess at said adjacent ends,

a tubular mandrel positioned in said annular recess and having an internal diameter no greater than the internal diameter of the tubing thereby providing unrestricted flow through the interior of said joints,

said mandrel being attached to the first of said joints and longitudinally and rotatably slidable with re spect to the second joint,

a stop shoulder on each of said mandrel and second joint adapted to coast thereby preventing disconnection of said mandrel from the second joint,

sealing means between said mandrel and the second joint for providing a fluid tight joint, and

spring means between said mandrel and said second joint yieldably urging said clutch means into engage- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 Thompson Feb. 3, 1925 1,901,513 Harris Mar. 14, 1933 2,228,482 Prebensen Jan. 14, 941 2,307,927 Hamon Jan. 12, 1943 2,742,264. Snyder Apr. 17, 1956 2,851,252 Le Bus Sept. 9, 1958 B gnell e a spa-2",, Feb. 2, 96 

1. IN A WELL TUBING IN A WELL BORE IN WHICH THE UPPER END OF THE TUBING IS ADAPTED TO BE ROTATED AND THE LOWER END OF THE TUBING IS ADAPTED TO BE THREADABLY SECURED IN THE WELL BORE, THE IMPROVEMENT IN A ROTARY SWIVEL JOINT COMPRISING, FIRST AND SECOND PIPE JOINTS AXIALLY ALIGNED, THE FIRST OF WHICH IS SECURED TO THE LOWER END OF THE TUBING AND THE SECOND OF WHICH IS SECURED TO THE UPPER END OF THE TUBING, CLUTCH MEANS CONNECTED TO ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID PIPE JOINTS AND ADAPTED TO TRANSMIT ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID JOINTS IN A DIRECTION TO RELEAST THE LOWER END OF THE WELL TUBING, SAID JOINTS HAVING AN ANNULAR RECESS AT SAID ADJACENT ENDS, A TUBULAR MANDREL POSITIONED IN SAID ANNULAR RECESS AND HAVING AN INTERNAL DIAMETER NO GREATER THAN THE INTERNAL DIAMETER OF THE TUBING THEREBY PROVIDING UNRESTRICTED FLOW THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF SAID JOINTS, SAID MANDREL BEING ATTACHED TO THE FIRST OF SAID JOINTS AND LONGITUDINALLY AND ROTATABLY SLIDABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE SECOND JOINT, A STOP SHOULDER ON EACH OF SAID MANDREL AND SECOND JOINT ADAPTED TO COACT THEREBY PREVENTING DISCONNECTION OF SAID MANDREL FROM THE SECOND JOINT, 